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Old 10-21-2021, 11:04 PM   #1
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New and going for it

Wife and I went to purchase a 53 chevrolet short bus but it was so far gone we decided to pass we were so far from house 8 hrs we started searching. We ended up buying a 1958 viking 60 s hool bus and we are going to make a home on wheels any parts out there for it I would like to know
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Old 10-22-2021, 12:48 AM   #2
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Nice wheels.
Very much like Janet H's ('59 Winkleman Architecture) conversion. I looking forward to seeing more pictures.
Does it have any of the original seats?
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Old 10-22-2021, 10:43 AM   #3
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I am probably different from a lot of people.

I would look at a later model chassis to swap under it. That gives you a later model drive train with better braking and engine/transmission choices. Parts will be easyer to find for a later class 5 chassis.

That 58 has a large engine bay. It will hold any later model diesel.

The main thing to look at is steering box placement on a donor chassis. If the 58 runs a behind the wheel steering box. Then look for a donor chassis with the box behind the wheel. It makes grafting to the old column easyer.

If you go with a mechanical diesel wiring for it is very little. Charging system is easy to figure out.

Class 5 parts are cheaper than pickup truck parts in any junkyard. Class 5 doesn't have the hords of people fighting for parts like the pickup crowd.

Class 5 with a little searching you can be found with air ride rear suspensions.
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Old 10-22-2021, 12:12 PM   #4
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That is a big commitment in that you have to make sure the bus is in shape AND do a conversion.

Have you given thought to travelling long distances in a vintage vehicle? I'm assuming it's manual shift, no power steering, with no AC.
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Old 10-22-2021, 03:59 PM   #5
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That's a great old Chevy, but it's actually a '59 by the hood trim.
I used to own a '58 Chevy Thomas Bus, it was a really low mileage truck and when I bought it in 1984 it was difficult to find parts for the brakes.
I drove that bus across the USA numerous times, I put 30k on it in the 15 years I owned it. It had a top speed of 57 mph and got 8 mpg empty or towing a 10,000 lb. trailer.
I think a conversion on to a late model truck chassis would be the best way to make this old girl safe and fun!
Good luck with your project!
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Old 10-24-2021, 12:48 AM   #6
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Yes it is a 59. I just got back with my donor chassis a 1995 casino bus 454 auto overd r ivewith disc brakes all around.
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Old 11-01-2021, 10:50 AM   #7
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That is a great looking bus! I lived in a '58 Viking for a few years. Two things that I didn't like were the school bus windows dictated the counter height, and I could only stand upright in the center. This had me scrunching over at the edges, not good for my neck or back. You're doing a frame swap? I'll be interested in watching that progress. My '58 had a 350 v8 and cruised down the highway smooth as a boat. Now I have a '55 6700 with a 327, I don't know what it was for originally, high school or what, but the roof is higher.
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Old 11-01-2021, 08:13 PM   #8
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Yes it is lower on the sides we have not decided if we are going to raise roof or lower floor in walking areas doing drive train first
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Old 12-02-2021, 12:34 PM   #9
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Finally got donor frame cleaned up and now for removing frame from under bus
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Old 12-02-2021, 12:43 PM   #10
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Nydtx View Post
Finally got donor frame cleaned up and now for removing frame from under bus
Looks like a great project totally going to follow .
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Old 12-02-2021, 12:48 PM   #11
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As DeMac said, 'welcome to the asylum'. Nice project.

If you haven't yet, you should start a build thread under 'skoolie conversion projects'. Should be an interesting read. We'll need lots of pictures.
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